Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry retained the Mary Raymond Cup at the RILSA Academy Sharkx Newbridge. This is Margaret’s 6th time to win the Mary Raymond Cup after she won it for the first time in 1987 the second year the Cup was played for. Margaret is closing in on Julie Kelly who has won the Cup on 7 occasions. Annette Newman is in 3rd place having won the Cup on 4 occasions and it was fitting that Annette reached the final on this occasion against Margaret.
In the last 16 stage of the event Louise Jordan from Meath was back after a spell away from the tour and soon made a good account of her play with a solid win over Christine Carr from Kildare. Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry had to dig deep against Louise Maher from Kilkenny after Louise won the first frame on a black ball with Margaret coming back to level at 1-1 however Margaret took good advantage of play in the 3rd frame with Louise having a few chances to bring it down to another black ball but Margaret took the frame to advance to the Quarters.
Tina Keogh from Offaly won the first frame well against Jennifer Earle from Dublin but Jennifer took Tina all the way to a black ball finish in the second frame with Jennifer having a few chances to win but it was not to be as Tina potted the black to take the win and a place in the quarters.
At the Quarter final stage Cathy Dunne from Dublin had a comfortable 2 win over Joanna Ward from Kildare for a semi final place. Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry had to stay in touch with Louise Jordan from Meath to get through on a 2 nil win as both frames were close, to meet Cathy in the semis.
In the bottom half of the draw we saw Claire mill from Dublin having to dig deep to win the 3rd frame against Sandra Bryan from Wexford as the match levelled at 1-1 and could have gone in Sandra’s favour but Claire kept it close and won the frame needed for a place in the semis. Annette Newman from Carlow had to play well against Tina Keogh from Offaly with the first frame going to a black ball with Annette potting it, frame 2 was similar and went to another black ball again Annette took it to advance and meet Claire in the semis
Margaret drew on all her experience against Cathy who is always a threat in these events but Margaret won the two frames needed for a place in the final. On the other table Annette won the first against Claire on the colours but it would go to a pink ball finish in the second with Annette taking it to meet Margaret in the final
The final saw Margaret get hold of the first frame going to the colours, however Annette had chances to take the second with only 9 points in favour of Margaret going to the colours but with Margaret picking off the colours to take the frame needed for the win and retain her Mary Raymond Cup title for 2022
Congratulations to Margaret on her win and well done to Annette on a fine performance. Thanks to all the ladies for their support and participation. Thanks to Dave Earle who officiated throughout the day and refereed the final. Thanks to Bernie, Paul and staff of Sharkx for their help and support towards female cue sport
